Machine for making tubular parts from strip material



June 17, l947- A. vlEHwEGER MACHINE FOR'MAKING TBULR PARTS FROM STRIP MATERIAL Filed Jan. 15, 1945 :s sheets-sheet 1 Q t@ i ,i

June 17, 1947. A .VlEHwEGEl-'z v 2,422,272 MACHINE FOR MAKING TUBULAR PARTS Fnol STRIP MATERIAL Filled Jan. 15, 1945 3 sheets-snet 2 v rime/ffm June 17, 1947. A'. VIEHwl-:GER 2,422,272

MACHINE FOR MAKING TUBUIJAR PARTS FROM STRIP MATERIAL Filed Jan. 15., 1945 l3 Sheets-.Sheet 3 k N i L\ lq 'l h QQ I1.

INVENTOA ia64/.sr Hm/65? u xviii-MW- strip stock.

Patented June 17, 1947 FOR MAKING TUBULAR PARTS FROM STRIP MATERIAL August Viehweger, Comstock Park, Mich. A Application January 15, 1945, semina. 572,830

21 Claims. (Cl. 113-35) This invention relates to improvements in machine for making tubular parts from strip material.

The main objects of this invention are: f

First, to provide a machine for making tubes adapted for use in sash balances from strip stock.

Second, to provide a machine for making double ply tubes having spiral grooves from fiat Third, to provide a machine of this character adapted to produce work of very uniform quality I and Work which is not likely to become distorted.

Fourth, to provide a machine for forming tubes of spirally coiled strips in which the stock is set as the coiling proceeds.

Fifth, to provide a machine for forming tubes from spirally coiled dat stock which owing to the character of the forming dies and the manipulation thereof enables the coiling of the stock with a-minimum of stress thereon and on themachine parts.

Sixth, to provide machine of the class de scribed which is of large capacity.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description t follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a structure embodying the features of my invention, certain of the parts being shown mainly in conventional form.

Fig. 2 is a view partially in verticalsection on the broken line 2-2-of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan View partially in section on line 3-3 of Fig. 4 illustrating certain of the coiling operations and the relationship of the stock thereto.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary View on line 4-4 of Fig. 3. I

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view o line5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary View in section on line 6 6 of Figs. 4 and 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on line 'I-'I of Fig. 3.

Fig. A8 is a fragmentary view partially in sectionpn line 8-8 of Fig. 3 showing the relation of thecompleted tube to the mandrel.

Fig. 9 is a' detail sectional view on line 9-9 of Fig. 1. i

Fig. 10 is a Ifragmentary view of a completed` I section of work.

Fig. 11 is an elevation of. a portion of die I5. In the accompanying drawings, the table or bed I is of suitable ydimensionsA to support the operating parts of the machine. 'Ihis is com- 2 monly supported upon suitable legs and provided with other supporting means `not illustrated.

The machine illustrated is designed to produce tubular members 2 having spiral grooves 3 and 4, the groove 3 being formed in theouter element 5 of the tube, the groove 4 being formed by the spaced edges 6 oi. the outer element 5 and bottomed by the inner element 1 of the tube. These elements 5 and 1 are formed from strips of steel stock designated A and B.

'I'he supporting pedestal 8 is provided with a 'head piece 9 at its -forward end receiving the forward end of the mandrel I0 which is provided with a head portion II adapted to sustain the longitudinal pull thereon and the set screw I2 which prevents rotation of the mandrel.

Mounted on the pedestal is an anvil forming die member I3 having a transversely curved longitudinal die face I4 concentric with the mandrel I0. illustrated has a yieldably supported section ISI mounted on rods I 32 carrying the springs |33 acting to urge the die members together. The segment III of the die face I-4 on section line I3I is. complementary to the portion of' the die face formed on the stationary portion of the die member I3. The coacting die member I5 has a transversely curved longitudinal die yface I6 complementary to the die face of the anvil forming die member and concentric to the mandrel as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

The purpose of providing the yieldingly supported portion I3I for the die member I3 is to permit a slight yielding as the stock is fed around the mandrel, requiring less thrust in feeding or advancing the stock than would otherwise be the case and preventing any kinking of the stock. The faces of the die members are preferably stepped as clearly shown in Figs. 3 to 6 to'accommodate the second or outer strip of stock. This steppingl of the die members would not be required where the machine is designed to spirally Wind a single strip of stock.

The thrust die member I5' is provided with a crosshead I'I reciprocatingly mounted on the upright posts I8 carried by the bed I, springs I-9 acting to return the reciprocating die memberv its outer end, the link receiving the end of the lever 20 and being provided with a roller 26.

The stock strips A and B are fed in laterally spaced relation to each other and at an angle substantially less than a right angle relative to the mandrel and die members.

The feed means in the embodiment illustrated This die member I3 in the embodiment erally by the numeral l tween the edges of the inner strip,

of the inner strip,

comprise pairs of feed rollers 21 and 28, only one roller of each pair being illustrated, the driven' rollers of the pairsl being connected by the belt 29. The driven roller 28 is driven through a friction clutch 30 in the shaft 3l, this shaft being connected by a train. of gears designated gen- 32, see Fig. 1, to the shaft 33 on which the crank 23 is mounted, this shaft 331 being connected by the pulley 34 and the belt 35 to the pulley 36 of the motor 31. A bal- 'ance wheel 38 is provided for the shaft 33.

In the embodiment illustrated the driven rollers 21 and 28 are provided with annular ribs 33 which form a longitudinal groove i in the stock strip.

Bprior to the feeding thereof t`o .the forming dies. The die members in effect constitute coiling blocks as Well as forming dies, the stock being fed against the die face i6 of the reciprol eating forming die in impinging relation thereto. The frictional feed of the rollers on the stockfis such that the stock is advanced when the reciprocating forming die is retracted. The

feed is aided by a pull on the work as will be,

hereafter described.

To assist in conforming the work and to give it a permanent set" as it is`coiled, the reciprocating diev imparts thrust-like blows to the work and this feature greatly aids in the spiral coiling of the stock. f

`The stock is fed to the mandrel and the dies at such angle as Vto provide a spiral groove beboth strips and the Strips are so spaced and fed to the mandrel and forming dies that the outer strip breaks joints with'the inner strip, or rather with the spirals formed by with the rib resulting from formbetween the spaced edges M -the spaced edges of the outer strip forming a second spiral groove bottomed by the inner strip, see Fig. 8.

To further set and size the work I preferably provide a follower die consisting of the members 42 and 43, see Fig. 7, the member 43 having a segmental curved conforming face `44 lwhile the member 42 is provided with a plurality of work supporting rollers 45 which rotatably support the Work while it is being sized. and furthervset by the follower die. y

At the rear of the follower die I provide supporting rollers 46 adapted to rotatably' support the work andatv therear of these supporting rollers, atleast one' ofwhichis driven, I provide a coacting pair of grooved embrace the work while it is supported by the mandrel and impart a longitudinal pull thereto while permitting its rotation. These pull rollers also serve the purpose of holding thework against the supporting rollers 46.

The upper roller'41 is provided with ing the groove 40 i a shaft 48 which is connected by the beveled gears 49- to the shaft 50 which is in turn provided with a pull rollers 4l adapted to lit may be readily adapted for spirally coiling a single strip of stockinto a tube.

In the manufacture of tubes for sash balances, it is desired to provide structures which will not spring or warp ordistort or buckle in use and also tubular' elements which are relatively light in weight and at the same time rigid. I can my invention as one of the stock strips as readily produce such elements on my machine and this with a -machine of comparatively light weight and requiring but little power to operate. The disclosure made will enable the .embodiment of may be desired.

described my invention,` what I Having thus and desire to secure by Letters claim as new. Patent is:

l. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a mandrel supported at its front end, ofl means for feeding a `plurality of strips of stock in laterally spaced relation relative to each other .and at an angle substantially less than a right angle relative to said mandrel including friction driven 'feed rollers common to the strips of stock, said rollers being provided with means for forming a longitudinal groove in it is fed, an `anvil form'-` ing die member having a transversely curved longitudinal dieface concentric with said mandrel,

a reciprocatingly mounted coacting thrust forming die member having a transversely curved longitudinal die face complemental to lthe die face of said anvil die member and concentric with saidfmandrel and against which the strips "of stock are impingingly fed by said feed rollers,

the friction drive` of said feed rollers being such as t'o feed the Stock to said forming die members when the thrust die member is in retracted position and slipping when it is in its actuated position, means for actuating said thrust die member in timed relation to the feed of the stock beveled gear 5l meshing with the gear 52 on the shaft 53 connected by the gear 54 to a gear 55 on the shaft 3|. This insures the driving of the pull rollers in synchronism with the feed rollers.

' n rollers for`the work.

strips, and a follower die member disposed at the rear of said forming die members and through which the work is advanced, said follower diev vmember being provided with supporting rollers for the work. f

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a mandrel supported at its front end, of means for feeding a plurality of strips of stock in laterally-spaced relation relative to each other and at an angle substantially less than a right angle relative to said mandrel including friction driven feed rollers common to the strips of stock, an anvil forming die member having a transversely curved longitudinal die face concentric with said mandrel, a reciprocatingly 4mounted coacting thrustv forming die member having a transversely curved longitudinal die face complemental to the die face of said anvil die member and concentric with said mandrel and against which the strips of stock are impingingly fed by said feed rollers, means for actuating said thrust die'member, and a. follower die member disposed at the rear of said forming` die members and through which' the work is advanced, said follower die member being provided' with supporting 3. In a machine of the class described, the com-` bination with a mandrel supported at its front end, of means for feeding'a plurality Vof strips of stock in laterally spaced relation relative to each other and at an angle substantially less than a right angle relative to said mandrel including friction driven feed rollers common' to the strips of stock, said rollers being provided with means for forming a longitudinal groove in one of the stock strips as itis fed, an anvil forming die member having a transversely curved longitudinal die face concentric with said mandrel, a reciprocatingly mounted coacting thrust forming die member having a transversely curved longitudinal die face complemental to the die face of said anvil die member and concentric with said mandrel and against which the strips of stock are impingingly fed by said feed rollers, the friction drive of said feed rollers being such as to feed the stock to said forming die members when the thrust die member is in retracted position and slipping when it is in its actuated position, means for actuating said thrust die member in timed relation to the feed of the stock strips, work supporting rollers 'arranged at the rear of said follower die member,

and grooved work pull rollers disposed at the rear of said supporting rollers and acting to draw the work through said dies while permitting the rotation thereof..

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a mandrel supported at its front end, of means for feeding a pluralityof strips of stock in laterally spaced relation relative to each other and at an angle substantially less than a right angle relative to said mandrel including friction driven feed rollers common to the strips of stock, an anvil forming die member having a transversely curved longitudinal die face concentric with said mandrel, a reciprocatingly mounted coacting thrust forming die member ,having a transversely curved longitudinal die face complemental tothe die face of said anvil die member and -concentric with said .mandrel and against which the strips of stock are impingingly fed by said feed rollers, means for actuating said thrust die member, work supporting rollers arranged at the rear of said follower die member, and grooved work pull rollers disposed at the rear of said supporting rollers and acting to draw the work through said dies While permitting the rotation thereof.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a mandrel, of friction driven means for feeding a plurality of strips of stock in laterally spaced relation relative to each other and at an angle substantially less than a right angle relative to said mandrel, means for forming a longitudinal groove in one of the strips as it is fed, an anvil forming die member having a die face concentric with said mandrel, a coacting thrust forming die member movable relative to said mandrel and anvil die member and having a die face complemental to 4the die face of said die member and concentric with said mandrel and against which the strips of stock are impingingly i Vfed by said feed means, means for actuating said thrust die member, a follower die disposed at the rear of said forming die members and through which the work is advanced, said follower die being provided with supporting rollers for the work, work supporting rollers arranged at the rear of said follower die, and work pull rollers disposed at the rear of said supporting rollers and acting to draw the work through said dies.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a mandrel, of friction driven means for feeding a plurality of strips of stock in laterally spaced relation relative to each other and `at an angle substantially less than a right anglel relative to said mandrel, means for forming a longitudinal groove in one of the strips as it is' fed, an anvil forming die member having a die face concentric with said mandrel, a coacting thrust forming die member movable relative to said mandrel and anvil die member and having adie face complemental to the die face of said die member and concentric with said mandrel and against which the strips of stock are impingingly fed by said feed means, means for actuating said thrust die member, work supporting rollers arranged at the rear of said die, and work pull rollers disposed at the rear of said supporting rollers and acting to draw the Work through said dies.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a mandrel, of friction driven means for feeding a plurality of strips of stock in laterally spaced relation relative to each other and at an angleI substantially less than a right angle relative to said mandrel, means for forming a longitudinal groove in one of the strips as it is fed, an anvil forming die member having a die face concentric with said mandrel, a coacting thrust forming diemember movable relative to said mandrel and anvil die member and having adie face complemental to the die face of said die member and concentric with said mandrel and against which the strips of stock are impingingly fed by said feed means, means for actuating said thrust die member, and a follower die disposed at the rear of said forming die members andthrough which the work is advanced, said follower die being provided with supporting rollers for the work.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a mandrel, of friction driven means for feeding a plurality of strips of stock in laterally spaced relation relative to each other and at an angle substantially less than a right angle relative to said mandrel, means for forming a longitudinal groove in one of the strips as it is fed, an anvil forming die member having a die face concentric with said mandrel, a coacting thrust forming die member movable relative to said mandrel and anvil die member and having a die face complemental to the die face of said die member and concentric with said mandrel and against which the strips of stock are impingingly fed by said feed means, and means for ac-l tuating said thrust die member.

9. In a machine of the. class described, the combination with a mandrel, of means for feeding a strip of stock at an angle substantially less than a right angle relative to said mandrel, an anvil forming die member having a die face concentric with said mandrel, a coacting thrust forming die member movable relative to said mandrel and anvil die member and having a die face complemental to the die face of said die member and concentric vwith said mandrel and against which the strip of stock is impingingly fed by said feed anvil forming die member having a die face concentric with said manera, @coasting thrust form-y ing die member movable relativeto said mandrel and anvil die member and having a die face complemental to the die face of said die member and concentric with said mandrel and against which the strip of stock is impingingly fed by said feed means, means for actuating said thrust die member, and work pull rollers disposed at the rear4 of said die member acting. to draw the work through said die members.

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination with-a mandrel, of means for feeding a strip of stock at an angle substantially less than a right angle relative to said mandrel, an anvil forming die member having a die'face con. centric with said mandrel, a coacting thrust forming die member mounted for reciprocating mover ment to and from said mandrel and anvil die member and having a die face complementalto the die face of said die member and concentric with said mandrel and against which the strip of stock is impingingly fed by said feed means, and lmeans for reciprocatingly actuating said thrust die member while the stock is being feddie face of said anvil member, means for feeding strips. of stock in laterallyl spaced relation relative to each other and at an angle substantially less than a right angle relative to said mandrel whereby they are spirally coiled in overlapping joint breaking relation with their edges spaced providing spiral grooves, the outer work strip having a longitudinal groove therein, the rib resulting from the longitudinal grooving of the strip being disposed between the edges of the inner strip, the inner strip constituting' a bottom for the groove between the edges of the outer strip, a follower die member disposed at ther rear of said forming ,die members and through which the work is advanced while permitting the rotation thereof, and pull rollers disposed at the rear of said dies to grip the work while it is supported by said mandrel.

13. In a 'machine of the class described, the

combination of a mandrel of uniform diameter,

the die face of said anvil member, and means for` a longitudinally stepped die face complemental to the die face of said anvil die member, frictionA feed means for feeding' strips of stock in laterally spaced relation relative to`k each other and at` an angle substantially less than a right angle relative to said mandrel whereby they are spirally coiled in overlapping joint breaking relation with their edges spaced providing spiral grooves. the outer Work strip having a longitudinal groove therein, the rib resulting from the longitudinal grooving of the strip being disposed between the edges of the inner strip, the inner strip constituting a bottom for the groove between the edges of feeding strips of stock in laterally spaced relation relative to each other and at an angle substantially less than a right angle relative to said mandrel whereby they are spirally coiled in overlapping joint breaking relation with their edges spaced providing spiral grooves, the outer work strip having a longitudinal groove therein, the rib resulting from the longitudinal grooving of the strip being disposed-between the edges of the inner strip, the inner strip constituting a bottom for the groove between the edges of the outer strip.

14. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a mandrel of uniform diameter, an anvil forming die member having a longitudinally stepped die face cooperative with said mandrel, a thrust die member cooperative with said mandrel and anvil die member and having th outer strip, the thrust die member having a die face against which the strips of stock are impingingly fed by said roller, the friction drive of said feed means being such as to feed the stock to said forming die members when the thrust die member is in retracted position and slipping when' it is in actuated position, and means for reciprocating said thrust die member to permit feeding of the stock When it is in retracted position'and to impart forming thrust to the stock when it is in actuated position.

15. In a machine of the class described, the

combination of a mandrel of uniform diameter,

an anvil forming diejmember having a die face cooperative with said mandrel, a thrust die member cooperative with said mandrel and anvil die member and having a die face complemental to the die face of said anvil member, friction feed means for feeding a strip of stock at an angle substantially less than a right angle relative to said mandrel, the thrust die member having a`die face against which the strip of stock is impingingly fed by said roller, the friction drive of said feed means being such-as to feed the stock to said forming die members when the thrust die mem ber is in retracted position and slipping when it is in actuated position, means for reciprocating said thrust die member to permit feeding of the stock when it is in retracted position and to impart l forming thrust to the stock when it is in actuated an anvil forming die member having a die face cooperative with said mandrel, a thrust die member cooperative with said mandrel and anvil die member and having a die face complemental toi the die face of `said anvil member, friction feed means.for feeding a strip of stock at an angle substantially less than a right angle relative to said mandrel, the thrust die member having a die face against which the strip of stock is impingingly fed by saidroller, the friction drive of said feed means being such as to feed the stock to said forming die members when the thrust die member isin retracted position and slipping when it is in actuated position, and means for reciprocating said thrust die member to permit feeding of the stockwhen it is in retracted position and to impart forming thrust to the stock when it is in actuated position,

17. In a machine of the class described, the

combination of a mandrel of uniform diameter,

angle relative to said mandrel including friction l of said yieldable anvil die member being adapted to receive the stock as it is delivered from said posed joint breaking relation and with the edges `to the feed of the stock strips.

18. In a machine of the class described, the

combination of a mandrel of uniform diameter,

meansfor feeding a pluralityl of strips of stock n laterally spaced relation relative to each other and at an angle substantially less than a right angle relative to said mandrel, an anvil forming die member having a longitudinally stepped die face cooperative with said mandrel, a, reciprocatingly mounted coacting thrust forming die member cooperative with said mandrel and hav-v ing a longitudinally stepped die face complemental to the die face of said anvil die member and against which the strips of stockare impingingly fed by said feed means whereby the strips are spirally coiled in superimposed joint breaking relation, and means foractuating said thrust die member.

19. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a mandrel of uniform diameter. means for feeding a plurality of strips of stock in laterally spaced 'relation relative to each other and at an angle substantially less than a right angle relative to said' mandrel, an anvil forming die member having a longitudinally stepped die face cooperative with said mandrel, said anvil die member comprising a relatively xed front portion and a rear portion yieldably mounted on the fixed portion and having a die face segment complemental to the portion'of the die face on the fixed portion, a reciprocatingly mounted coacting thrust forming die member cooperative with said mandrel and having a longitudinally stepped die face complemental to the die face of said anvil member and against which the strips of stock are impingingly fed by said feed means, the die face thrust forming die member, and means for actuating said thrust forming die member.

f 20. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a mandrel of uniform diameter, means for feeding a plurality of strips of stock in laterally spaced relation relative to each other and at anangle' substantially less than a, right angle relative to said mandrel, an anvil forming die member having a die face cooperative with said mandrel, said anvil die member comprising a relatively xed front portion and a r'ear portion yieldably mounted on the fixed portion and having a. die face segment complemental to the portion lof the die face on the xed portion, a reclprol 'anvil member and against which the strips of stock are impingingly fed by said feed means, the die face of said yieldable anvil die member being adapted to receive the stock as it is delivered from said thrust forming die member, and means for actuating said thrust forming ydie member.

21. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a mandrel of uniform diameter, means for feeding a plurality of strips of stock in laterally spaced relation relative to each other and at an angle substantially less than a right angle relative to said mandrel, an anvil forming die member having a die face cooperative with said mandrel, said anvil die member comprising a relatively fixed front portion and a rear portion yieldably mounted on the xed portion and having a die face segment complemental to the p0rtion of the die face on the fixed portion, springs acting to yieldingly support the said yieldable portion of said die member, means for adjusting the tension of said springs, a reciprocatingly mounted coacting thrust forming die member cooperative with said mandrel and having a die face complemental to the die face of said anvil member and against which .the strips of stock are impingingly fed by said feed means, the die face of said yieldable anvil die member being adapted to receive the stock as it is delivered from said thrust forming die member, and means foractuating said thrust forming die member.

AUGUST VIEHW'EGER.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,377,950 McMinn et al. June 12, 1945 1,056,326 DieScher L-- Mar. 18, 1913 1,091,161 Pratt. Mar. 24, 1914 

